Leeds Bradford: Future Infrastructure Developments

[LBA4EVER]

I think they are all little dictators. They demand every one accept their lifestyles which they set for us, within their own narrow self righteous boundaries.

These types of people normally have deep down issues that sometimes stem back to their past so take it out on everyone else making our lives miserable, typical human behaviour im afraid to say, little hitlers!

 

[jfy1999]

Just read an article that the government are planning to axe the Leeds leg of HS2 due to the costs.

This could be good for LBA though as we might get more people flying rather the train as trains are damn useless a lot of the time.

They’re all encouraging us to become greener but doesn’t seem like that’s the case. Train ticket price rises Ect… and HS2 might be coming either. They’re encouraging more flying which suits me flyings more reliable and gets me to places faster.

Even more reason to get this new terminal!

I’m following developments in the railways as well as aviation, and my advice would be wait and see over HS2 Leeds. As long as no design changes are made to the Birmingham and London stations, then it will always be possible for a future government to “bolt on” the extension to Leeds. given that fact, I would also wait and see for NPR and the Integrated Rail Plan, despite the delays there.

I accept HS rail negatively impacts domestic flying (in the case of HS2 it would almost all be to London), but with it I see an opportunity for regional airports to expand their catchment areas and accessibility, where currently a lot of local trains are too infrequent because they have to share the same lines with London expresses, overcrowded because they are infrequent, and less attractive than driving as a result.

Midlands Connect plans to improve local and regional rail services from Birmingham’s existing stations because the London expresses will no longer be using the same lines and platforms as the slower trains, and with a few tweaks to existing lines and junctions, Birmingham airport will gain direct trains to a greater number of towns. With HS2 and new NPR lines there would be a similar opportunity for more local trains to LBA which could use those platforms at Leeds station that are currently used by LNER London services and TP expresses respectively.

I think new rail infrastructure will reach Leeds eventually because this government won’t be in power forever, it’s just a question of whether they’re succeeded by an austerity or a borrow-to-invest regime. If the latter, it may be that this government signs off the LBA terminal (private investment) and the next signs off new railways to Leeds (public).

 

[CM.]

You make some good points in your post but I was just simply saying what the article was talking about. There’s a lot about it on Twitter now aswell.

I think that yes it will have a negative impact on domestic services but can also improve connectivity for international flights but the issue is less choices of flights direct to places such as Heathrow if you’re a connecting passenger. Because I’m sure for certain that will have a huge impact if we do get HS2

We will have to see if a different government makes a different decision regarding it because a different government won’t exactly make it any better. a different government could simply scrap it all together.

I personally want to see HS2 come to Leeds as it’s in dire need of better transport. The only transport we have here (or in my area) is buses and trains which are usually crap and unrealiable. But I also want the airport to succeed without HS2 having a major impact on it.

 

[Aviador]

We're going off topic but my view is HS2 would only drain employment away from Leeds rather than bring people into the city. Quicker train times into London only benefit London in my opinion. What Leeds does desperately need is a city wide rapid transport network.

 

[Len Fish]

Leeds is the largest city in Western Europe without a rapid transport system, a fact noted by Boris Johnson himself. West Yorkshire is the poor relation when it comes to transport investment and vision of any kind, the current terminal plans excepted although that’s private money.

 

[CM.]

We're going off topic but my view is HS2 would only drain employment away from Leeds rather than bring people into the city. Quicker train times into London only benefit London in my opinion. What Leeds does desperately need is a city wide rapid transport network.

That is also one of the issues with it. It’s believed some buildings would have to be knocked down including the ASDA HQ.

Back to Construction developments for LBA now.

 

[Bigman]

..or lack of construction developments!!

 

[Finger66]

There is potentially a hidden saving grace in RJ’s decision delays. That is the longer he leaves it the more travel will pick up and it will become more evident the new terminal is needed. The flip side to that is of course it’s longer before it’s ready. It remains a perfect time to approve now so that once travel back to pre-COVID levels, LBA will if nothing else be processing all those pax through a green and efficient terminal. Remains an absolute no brainier

 

[White Heather]

Meanwhile, back down South, the only area that really matters to Government, London Gatwick has announced plans for a £500m second runway! I can just imagine the reaction from E.R and GALBAs Southern buddies.
Let the planning fun begin, but with a more positive outcome just as at Stansted, whose now approved expansion makes the LBA plans look insignificant.

 

[Aviador]

@White Heather
In the grand scheme of things the LBA plans ARE insignificant.

 

[752]

my question is how long are AMP willing to wait with this £150m.. ? does anybody know how secure this funding is?

 

[airforced]

Good question Ap1995. What AMP's plans going forward are a mystery to us all. They, I would suggest, have more on their corporate minds at the moment than LBA, certainly while RJ is still in contemplation mode. This may change when he finally makes his mind up and announces something in November or so.

 

[LBA4EVER]

Right from the start LCC should of used this new terminal to their advantage and actually promoted the new terminal as a massive eco boost for the city and region, sell the terminal to the country as the most eco friendly one and the fact we are to get rid of our polluting 50year old terminal.
LBA and the design team have a really good product to offer!

 

[White Heather]

my question is how long are AMP willing to wait with this £150m.. ? does anybody know how secure this funding is?

There is no AMP fund ring fenced for LBA. As per the CEO, even if approval is given, passenger throughput will need to return to normal levels to enable the terminal to be financed..
The longer the delay, the less likely it is to happen in my view.

 

[752]

There is no AMP fund ring fenced for LBA. As per the CEO, even if approval is given, passenger throughput will need to return to normal levels to enable the terminal to be financed..
The longer the delay, the less likely it is to happen in my view.

thank you for clearing that up Heather, frustrating from every angle isnt it. sooner the better but that is us all wishing / praying.

 

[Aviador]

Does anybody know if the airport has carried out any new ground works to secure the previous application should the government decline the new terminal planning application?

 

[airforced]

I would be surprised if they hadn't done something of the sort within the time limits allowed. It would be most unlike LBA not to have done so. I think, and I repeat THINK, that they dug a trench or two shortly after receiving the permission.

 

[White Heather]

Does anybody know if the airport has carried out any new ground works to secure the previous application should the government decline the new terminal planning application?

It was stated that if they are to build the extension, they need to start by January, 3 years after the approval was given.

 

[Aviador]

It was stated that if they are to build the extension, they need to start by January, 3 years after the approval was given.

Yes, will some piling work be needed to allow the previous application to continue should the new plans be declined? Whatever the airport decides to do now, they won't want to go through any kind of planning process again for new terminal works.

 

[airforced]

I was sure they did some digging to ensure a planning permission didn't default. Must have been re something else or I am getting old (which is true of course). They seem not to have much time left. Better get on with it in case RJ can't find the bottom of his in-tray!